I’ve recently had the opportunity to spend a couple of weekends in Duluth, MN, and it was awesome! Even considering the COVID factor, I was able to see and experience some of my favorite things, while also finding some new places along the way.

Duluth is only a 2 hour drive from the Twin Cities, so you could easily just go up for the day (which my husband and I have done on a few occasions) and cross a few things off your bucket list. But if you have the time to spend a few days in and around the Duluth area, it’s absolutely worth it!

Below is a list of all of my favorite Duluth (and nearby North Shore) things to do in just one weekend!

Canal Park

If you’ve never been to Duluth, Canal Park is a must! It does tend to be on the more touristy side of things with more chain hotels and restaurants, but there are also plenty of local boutiques, coffee shops and amazing cafe’s. I’m not exaggerating when I say I would literally drive to Duluth just to eat at Northern Waters SmokeHaus. I’m still drooling over the smoked salmon melt I had.

Not to mention, you have to see the aerial lift bridge up close and personal at least once when visiting Duluth. I recommend parking in the Northwest Iron public parking lot, grabbing a cup of coffee at Amazing Grace Cafe, and walking along the Lake Walk down to the pier. If you’re lucky, you might just see them raise and lower the bridge!

*Note, it is extremely windy and cold near the water. Even in summer, be prepared to bring a few extra layers with you

Lincoln Park / Crafts District

If you’re over the touristy stuff, make your way over to the Lincoln Park neighborhood for all things local! This neighborhood has really transformed over the years. What once had the look and feel of semi-abandoned warehouses, now is bustling with shops, restaurants and bars.

Check out Free Air Life Co for outdoor attire and gifts

And my personal favorite, Frost River for locally crafted bags that will last you a lifetime.

Stop into Corktown Deli for a quick bite to-go

Or if you’re really hungry, go across the street to OMC Smokehouse for the best smoked meats and BBQ the north shore has to offer! On my most recent trip up to Duluth that’s just what I did. I placed an online order for a pulled pork sandwich and popped over to Bent Paddle Brewing to grab a crowler to-go and took it back to my airbnb to enjoy.

Positively 3rd Street Bakery

When I asked my followers on Instagram for their favorite things to do in Duluth, I got an overwhelming response back to check out the Positively 3rd Street Bakery! The only thing I’m sorry about is not knowing about this place sooner!

I mean, check out this pumpkin spice scone that was literally the size of my face! And it tasted as amazing as it looks.

Enger Tower

When you’re driving into Duluth from the Twin Cities, you can see a tower sitting on top of a hill off in the distance. For years I would notice this and wonder what it was. Well, I finally had the time to go check it out up close and personal!

Enger Tower is 5 stories tall, and free to visit! Unfortunately the day I went, it was extremely foggy, but on clear days you’ll have the most amazing 360 views of the entire town.

Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory

Hawk Ridge is another great (and totally free!) way to see amazing views of Duluth and spot various species of birds. In fact, Hawk Ridge is one of the best observation spots to see the migration of raptors.

I saw some birders while I was there who had set up lawn chairs and came prepared with high-end binoculars, telephoto cameras and their notebooks to record their findings. But even if you’re not a hard-core birder, it’s still a great place to visit! Just be respectful of those who are there to observe the raptors.

There are a few trails nearby the main observatory, but I also saw a lot of locals just walking or running along the road.

Check out the visitor’s guide for all you need to know!

Seven Bridge Road & Lester Park

As you make your way back down from Hawk Ridge, instead of turning around and heading South (the way I came up) I just drove straight (North) and found a happy surprise! The road turns into Seven Bridge Road, aptly named for the fact you cross 7 bridges as you pass over Lester River.

There are plenty of opportunities to get out and explore as you make your way back down towards Lake Superior.

But perhaps the most pleasant surprise of all was seeing the 7th bridge ending at Lester Park and this beautiful waterfall right in the middle of the city!

I was also very surprised to have the place almost entirely to myself! You definitely get the sense that this park is used primarily by locals and not many tourists seem to know about it. It was a first for me and I’ve been visiting Duluth for years!

Russ Kendall’s

Literally no trip to the North Shore would be complete without eating some smoked fish! Russ Kendall’s is your quintessential ‘hole in the wall’, just a small meat counter, a fridge full of beer and a line of hungry customers.

Must See Things Just Outside of Duluth

If you have the time, there are so many amazing things to do just outside of Duluth too!

Gooseberry Falls

This one of the most popular spots along the North Shore and with good reason. The trails are very well maintained and some of the most accessible for those with limited mobility. The falls are absolutely stunning! I personally have been many times and have yet to get sick of it. You can spend about 30 minutes or a full day here, the choice is yours!

Split Rock Lighthouse

The Split Rock Lighthouse is a stunning, turn of the century building that, you guessed it, sits on the edge of the rocky shore. Take a stroll a long the shore to see amazing views of the lighthouse in the distance, or get up close and personal with the 20 minute tour.

*Note, to see the lighthouse from the beach you have to go up and down a long flight of stairs. There are many benches along the way to stop and take a break, but if you or someone in your group has limited mobility, this might not be the stop for you.

Black Beach in Silver Bay, MN

The secret is definitely out about the black sand beach in Silver Bay, but even so, you’re still likely to have plenty of space to spread out and see this not-so-hidden gem for yourself.

The area was once privately own, and in recent years have finally opened up for the public to use. I finally got to go for the first time on my latest trip up north and I’m so happy I did! The “sand” is really more like tiny pebbles that have been discolored due to the mining in the area.

There is an RV campground on site, although from what I could see there was very little in the way of any privacy. So if you don’t mind being crowded in what essentially looked like a giant parking lot, you could “camp” here during the summer

*Note, it is extremely windy by the water, make sure you’re dressed warm enough!

Jay Cooke State Park

On your way up to Duluth from the Twin Cities, you’ll pass right by Jay Cooke State Park. So either at the start or at the end of your fabulous Duluth weekend, be sure to add this park to your to-do list!

There are a ton of trails in the park, but if you’re short of time, you could easily just park your car and walk across the iconic swinging bridge and back in about 20 minutes.